We have staff devotion each morning at 8 a.m., before we start our workday. Everyone must lead devotion when their name rolls around alphabetically, which is about three times per year. This is one way we practice “diversity, equity, and inclusion” here at American Family Association. Outgoing people get to lead, and shy people get to share.
The devotion includes a reading from the Scriptures, followed by a brief thought or commentary. What I have noticed in staff devotion – and among Christians in general – is a desire to cope with stress and anxiety. We worry about stuff, and we can’t help ourselves.
What about my finances … my children … my grandchildren … my health? If God cares about me, why is everything so uncertain?
When my wife, Alison, got diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma (blood cancer) in October 2022, it was shocking news to us. Her diagnosis caused a lot of stress and anxiety. Many of you have had to deal with cancer yourself, or you’ve walked through life with someone who has. Thanks be to God, Alison got a clear scan in December.
But sometimes, scans aren’t clear. …
Sometimes in our lives, we find ourselves in negative circumstances – whether by our own choices or those made by other people. For example, Alison and I were almost killed recently when the driver of another car decided to pass on a double yellow line on a two-lane highway at night. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I saw two headlights coming at us. I quickly yanked our car over onto the shoulder of the road; I’m just thankful a shoulder was there. We almost lost our lives because of someone else’s stupid decision. No fault of our own.
For me, as a Christian, the hardest question to answer is: Why does God allow someone devoted to Him to suffer the same difficult – and sometimes tragic – events that nonbelievers go through?
There isn’t a satisfactory answer to that question. There isn’t one that relieves us of the pain when we are wondering where God is in all of it.
You may disagree with my theology here, but from what I have observed, God does not often intervene in what I call “nature’s ways.” By “nature’s ways,” I mean the cause and effect of our natural surroundings. When He does intervene to change what would naturally happen otherwise, it’s called a miracle. And miracles (by definition) are rare.
Yes, God does sometimes perform miracles in our lives, and we usually recognize them when they occur.
The Bible teaches that God does care for and love each of us, even if we aren’t delivered from our circumstances that cause stress and anxiety. Unfortunately, that truth has caused a lot of people not to want a relationship with the Lord; they think God should intervene and prevent bad things from happening, yet He doesn’t.
The bottom line is this: God calls us to follow Him and serve Him, no matter what comes our way. The way to handle stress and anxiety on Earth is to be as close to God as we can be. Pray purposefully, read and study the Scriptures, fellowship with other believers, and hold on to God’s promise of Heaven.
Heaven is the ultimate promise God makes to believers.
In Heaven, there is no pain, suffering, stress, or anxiety. None. And we live there forever.
That is the good news!
In John 14:27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
As my colleague, Ed Vitagliano, says, “When the pressures of life close in, just hold on to Jesus – cling to Jesus!”
(Digital editor's note: This article was published first in the March 2025 print issue of The Stand. Click HERE for a free six-month subscription.)
